Sheet-cleaning apparatus



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9 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. R, BOYER SHEET-CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1941 INvEm-on l OOO OOO

June 8, 1943.

9 Sheets-Sheet 4 w. R; BOYER SHEET-CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Feb'. 25, 1941 ND Il' lll" Y .imV s, 1943.

June 8, 1943. w R, BOYER f 2,321,179

SHEET-CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVNTOR 271W M/MM4 June 8, 1943. w. R. BOYER 7 2,321,179

SHEET-CLEANING A PPARATUS v Filed Feb. 25, 1941` 9 sheets-sheet 7 I INVENTOR Jun 8, 1943. w R. BOYER 2,321,179 SHEET-CLEANING APPARATUS' Filed Feb. 25, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented lJune 8, 1943 SHEET-CLEANING ArPARA'rU's' William R. Boyer, Oakmont, Pa., assignor to l Blaw-Knox Company, a Vcorporanm of New Jersey Application February 25, 1941, Serial No. 380,419

4 Claims'.

This invention relates to the cleaning of sheet material; and, while of obvious general applicability, it finds practical value in the cleaning of the surfaces of rolled steel strip as it advances through forming and treating apparatus. The invention resides in apparatus, and the objects of improvementare economy and efliciency, both in the cleaning step itself and in the ag,- gregate' of the successive steps of treatment to which in common practice the continuously advancing strip is subjected.

It is usual, as the strip advances in horizontal plane and straight-away course, to wash its upper and nether surfaces with an aqueous solu-J tion and to scrub the wet surfaces with brushes; ,it is usual4 to cause the wet sheet to advance over the surface of a backing roll and while so supported to scrub the opposite and exposed surface with a cylindrical bru'shvmounted upon and rotating upon an axis parallel with that of the supporting roll and formingv with the supporting roll a pass through which the strip advances; it is usual so to scrub in alternation the two surfaces of the strip, in successive passes, arranging the backing rolls and the brushes of the passes successively on alternate sides of the advancing strip; it is usual so to station the backing rolls that the strip shall be deected or zig-zagged slightly from its straight-away course, both to prevent kinking and to.insure -a firm backing for the strip as the scrubbing brush engages and acts upon it. All of these features attend the practice of the invention in the specific embodiment of it that here is shown.

The material to be-removed from the advancing strip may be assumed to begrease or oil, and the washing liquid may be assumed to bean -aqueous alkaline solution.heated near to the boiling-point. These assumptions are by way of alording example merely; the invention is apready adjustability to change incident to con.-

tlnued operation, accessibility of parts for simple sory equipment, by aid of which the adjustability spoken of may be rendered the more effective.

In the accompanying drawings FigI is a fragmentary and diagrammatic view showing in elevation feed and take-upl reels for steel strip' and apparatus for the treatment of the strip as it ada vances from the feed reel to the take-up reel, and, specically the apparatus of this invention arranged for operation upon the advancing'strip. Fig. II is ,a View in plan and to larger scale of apparatus of the invention. From this showing,

stored. Fig. V is a vertical and longitudinal section, on the plane indicated at V-V, Fig. II. In Fig. V the position of the strip under treat- .ment and .the direction of its travel are indicated. Fig. VI is a View showing in elevation the line of housings that on one side form part of the apparatus. In this. figure the positions of the scrubbers themselves and the course of the strip through the apparatus areindicated. Fig. VII is a view in transverse section, on the plane indicated at VII-VIL'Fig.V VI.' Fig. VDI is a .view to larger scale, showing the apparatus fragmentarily and invertical section, on theplane indicated at VIII-VIII,Y Fig. IV. Figs. IX and X are views in section, on the planes indicated at IX-IX and X-f-X, Fig. VIII. Fig. XI is a view to the, scale of Fig. VI, showing partly in side elevation, partly in vertical section a unit consisting of a pair gf-chocks adaptedV to be mounted in opposite housings, an incompletely cylindrical shelduniting the two chocks, and a platform for `a motor, made integral with oneV of the chocks. Fig. XII-is a view in plan, Fig. XIII a view in section (on the plane XIII--XIIL Fig.- XI) and Fig. XIV a view in end elevation of the same unit. Figs. XV and XVI are views in side elevation and in transverse section of the lower tanklike portion and the upper vaulted'portion of an enclosing tunnel. In these igures these component parts of the4 tunnel are shown spaced and speedy replacement, conservation of scrub-4 i bing liquid and of heat and protection of parts from fouling, adaptability to high strip speed, refinements of structure and provision of accesapart at the interval at which they stand separated in the assembly. The tunnel is completed by interposed side-walls.' Fig. XVII is a view in vertical and longitudinal section of anassembly of parts, and in this gure'one of the side walls ofthe tunnel appears in elevation. Figs. XVIII and XIX are views in vertical section of the side -to a take-up reel R'.

' that carry the rotary scrubbing members Referring, first, to Fig. I, a strip S is seen,`ad,l

vancing in left to right course from-a feed reel Rf As it advances the strip is made subject to apparatus, the nature and .purpose ofv which are suggested merely., excepting only the cleaning apparatus C, shown in position immediately to the right'of reel lit.v It is in this cleaning apparatus that the improvements of the present invention are embodied. The strip-treating apparatus withwhich this cleaning apparatus is associated may, for example, be such as `that described in an application for United States Letters Patent iiled by G. M. Croft, Serial No.

ing rolls are alternately arranged beneath and above the strip, and correspondingly the brushes scrub the upper andA nether surfaces of the strip.

The pairs of elements are suitably spaced and in the intervals between, and beyond the ends of the assembly as well, pipes 3 are arranged, to spray suitable liquid (hot alkaline solution) upon the strip surfaces. The direction oi strip advance is indicated to be from left to right. The lower rolls rise slightly above the direct line of strip travel and the 'upper rolls depend slightly below ,that line, and in consequence the strip, advancing under' tension (as will be understood), is 1.-.eld taut upon and slightly bowed upon the roll surfaces. 'I'he direction of roll rotation is 4here indicated -to 'be such that the roll surface advances with the strip; and it may be understood that the surface speed'of the roll is the same as that of the strip. This is conventional; and thus, obviously, there will be no sliding of the strip upon the roll surface and scratching will be avoided. The direction of brush rotation is indicated to be, as preferably it is (though not necessarily), opposite to that of strip advance.

rate of brush rotation in the preferred direction,

constitute the scrubbing means are mounted for rotation in .bearing boxes 46 and" secured in chocks 4 and 5 (cf.Figs,VI1I-X), and the chocks in turn are mountedin housings; and, since in preferred organization there is a plurality of pairs of scrubbing rolls and brushes, the housings are correspondingly compound. Fig. VI`

shows in elevation the compound housing on one side, and itwill be understood' that this structure is matched by a symmetrically formed and oppositely placed housing structure on the other side. Each housing includes arsuccession of vertically standing pillars 6. The oppositely placed pillars of the two sets of housings are united by struts I I (Figs, II, V, and XVII). Since the apparatus here illustrated comprises four p'airs of scrubbing elements, Figs. V and VI show five pillars, with four spaces between. In these spaces alternately are xed shelves 'I and B, and upon the pillars and overspanning the spaces are removably secured in alternation'the lintel plates 9 and I0 (cf. Figs. II, III, and VIII). The shelves I systain rigidly the chocks 4 of the underlying rolls I; and the lintel plates I0 ailord rigid backing and support lfor the similar chocks of the overhanging rolls; while the lintel plates 9 afford chocks ofthe corresponding underlying brushes.

backing and support for adjustable overhanging brushes 2 and the shelves 8 `carry adjustably the of worm-and-screw type, and the plunger I5 of the jack bears downwardly upor'i the chock 5 and I upwardly upon the cross-bar I6 of a yoke borne cated) the scrubbingA effect is by increase in spe'edof strip travel correspondingly, enhanced. By the improvements here contemplated the deviation of the strip from straight-away course may be reduced to a minimum; and that isa condition favorable to high speed in strip advance.

l The brush will be made of suitable material, and. so .far as is now known, stainless steel wire is best. By adjustment of the brush relatively to the roll, the number of- Wires simultaneously in engagement with the strip may be increased or diminished. (It will be understood that when the apparatus is in operation and the brush in rotation' the individual Wires will bend to arc shape as their tips 'sweep the' strip surface.) By adjustment, manifestly, the intensity of th scrubbing action may be varied.

. The rolls and the brushes that, pair by pair,

by the chock 5. (the position of this cross-bar is adjustable upon the chock by the means indi- By the advance and retraction of the plunger of the jack the brush-carrying chock is adjusted vertically in its position in the housing. Springs I'I interposed between the choclm 4 and 5 may relieve the'jack substantially of the weight of the brush. `Adjustable stops I8 mounted upon chock 4 may be set to limit the descent of chock 5 to exact predetermined position;

Theschock in the opposite housing, in which the 'brush at its opposite end'is rotatably mounted, is by duplicate means severally adjustable. When by means of the jacks the two chocks have been adjusted so that the brush 2 throughout its length is properly positioned, in parallelism with roll I, the worms by which the jacks are driven may bel united by a shaft I9 (Fig. II). Handwheels 20 and 2| are shown in Figs. II, III, and IV, by which'when connection is broken the two jacks mayseverally be operated; and, when the two jaclm are connected, both may be operated by means of one hand-wheel.

The brushes, operating as they do at very high speed relativelyto the advancing strip, are subject to wear, and must from time to time be removed for redressing and replacement. The back-up rolls also must from time to time be removedand replaced. When the assembly is completed and made ready for service both roll and brush must be accurately set, so that throughout 'ing pass, in which the chocks of the roll are -rigidly secured to the lintel plate I0, is a substantial upon the chock in onedirection only. shifting it upward against the opposed forces of gravity and spring tension. As in the case already described, a shaft I9 is provided (cf. Fig. V) by which the two jacks upon opposite sides of the apparatus may at pleasure be connected for simultaneous operation. Since it is desirable that all the chocksfor the brushes be identical and interchangeable, and since the body of chock carries rigidly mounted stems 22 to form with the adjustable and separable cross-bar I8 the yoke already described (which yoke is Aserviceable only when the brush is arranged above the strip and the companion roll below) lthe shelves 8 are apertured, that the stems 22 (not serviceable in the alternate arrangement of roll and brush) may extend through and allow the chock to come firmly to position, resting upon the stem of the Jack 44- Vthe Jack in turn resting upon the shelf 8.

One of each pair of roll-carrying chocks has united integrally to it an outward extending' platform 23, and one of each pair of brush-carrying chocks has united integrally to it an outward ex-l tending platform 24 (cf. Figs. XI, XII, XIV with II, III, and IV). .Upon each of these platforms is rigidly mounted an electric motor. and these motors by direct connection rotate'the rolls and the brushes. The roll-driving motors 25 are arranged, all upon one side ofthe apparatus, and the` brush-driving motors 26 are arranged, all upon the opposite side; and thus ample clearance and spacing are afforded for the inspection and and XIV, in each chock is an opening that forms a frame having a machined ilt for three sides of a bearing box (48, 41). 'Ihese bearing boxes are rectangular in form. After the bearing boxes have been placed in these openings, keeper plates 48, whlchspan the open sides of the frame-forming openings in the chocks and which bear against the fourth side of a box 46 or 41, are secured to the chock at each ed by means of machine screws drawn tight in threaded holes 49 (Figs. XI,

XII). Themotors or 26 are then shimmed and bolted upon platforms 23, 24 to accurate alignment with Vthe shaft extensions and are coupled to the shafts. It should also be noted that the mounting described provides for longitudinal expansion and contraction of the shaft,

some i'urther expansionis provided for inthe bearing mounting. When the shaft lis cold, there will be a slight gap between the shoulder on bearing vbox 46 shown in Fig.`IX and the chock 5. The construction shown and described permits the removal of a lower brush or roll, by lifting it out of sheet metal and includes a tank-like rectanguciently, not to interfere' with the advance of the strip and the operation of spraying and scrubbing, and to permit of the making of the assembly of the brush within the shield. These shields confine the splashing of liquid. They' are proper1y ported for drainage. At its ends each of these shields is rigidly connected'to the chocks that carry the shrouded member. When the brush (or roll) has been set in place and the bearing boxes 48 and 41 thereof have Vbyxueans of keeper plates 48 (Fig. X) been secured -in the chocks 5 and 4 respectively, the shield, thus uniting a pair of chocks, completes the integrity of a unit consisting-of. a roll (or brush), the chocks that carry it, and the motor that drives it. Each such unit is, as a unit, applicable to and removable from the housings. There is suilicient flexibility within the brush unit to admit of the individual adjustment already described of the chocks within' thehousings.

'I'he manner ofmounting the brush or roll in a unitary structure with the chocks, shield and motor, is thus such as to permit .readyf assembly or`removal of the parts with the least disturbance to shop fitting and adjustment. Thus, after the bearing boxes 68 or 41 have been tted accurately to the brush or roll shaft, this'adjustment is in A no way affected by the placing ofthe brush or roll lar base 28 that underlies and extends beyond the v limiting pillars 6 of the compound housings, an

overarching vault 29,-and interposed side wallsf to which side wallslmore minute attention will be given. The necks of the rolls and brushes are properly lengthened (-cf. Fig. X), to allow structurally the ready interposition of the walls of this tunnel. 1

The tank 28, provided to catch the solution that drains from thestrip and brushes, rests i upon sills or other suitable support, and .rises to a level just below the shields 21 (ct-Fig. IV). It

is spanned transversely by pipes 50 (Fig. V) that make tight u nion with its walls and thatafford passageway for the jack-'uniting shafts I9,al l

ready described. The side walls are made up of sections, and the sections are 'severally carried l upon the struts il and theshields 21; and the in the chocks. As shown in Figures IX, XI; XII

vault 29 (which also` is sectional) rests si'ie walls (cf. Fig. IEX).

upon the The side walls of the tunnel consists ofipanels I that stand opposite the pillars 6, and panels that stand opposite the chocks in the housings formed by `and between the pillars. These panels meet and overlap in vertical seams. vThe panels that stand opposite the pillars are made in two parts 30, 30 that extend vertically throughout the height of the sidewalls, and that. surrounding the struts il and the pipes 3, meet and are secured edge to edge. The struts il being advantageously formed as H-beams (Fig. XVIII),`

the re-'entrant spaces are filled with plates 3l cut and tted to place and upon the so built-out struts the panel parts make sealed union.

ber, second, a pair of chocks in which the rotatable member is borne, third, a shield open throughout an interval but incompletely shrouding the rotatable member and uniting the chocks, and fourth, a panel part borne by the shield, the shields of the two said units arranged in the assembly with their openings in opposed positions facing one another and the panel parts borne by the shields meeting with overlapped edges and forming part of a brush-surrounding tunnel.

2. In apparatus for scrubbing sheet material that includes a. housing and a succession of pairs of scrubbing elements, each pair consisting of a back-up roll and a brush together with shields incompletely surrounding each of the two saidA members of said pair, the rolls and brushes being rotatably mounted pair by pair in the housing and relatively adjustable in such mounting, the invention herein described of a tunnel adapted to surround the work advancing through the succession, said tunnel having side walls composed of separable panels, certain of said panels being mounted on the housing structure, and other of said panels being mounted on the shields of said pairs of scrubbing elements.

3. In apparatus for scrubbing sheet material that includes a. succession of pairs of housings, a succession of pairs of relatively adjustable able chocks mounted in such 'spaces.,pairs ofy cleaning members rotatably borne by oppositely placed chocks and adapted to engage material advancing between the housing structures, and a tunnel enclosing the path of advance of material, such tunnel consisting of an underlying tank, an overarching vault, and intermediate side I walls, the side walls formed in overlapping sections carried in part by the pillars of the hous' ings and in part by the chocks, the side walls overlapping the Walls of the tank below, and the vault of the tunnel removably borne by the side walls.

WILLIAM R. BOYER; 

